After more than three months in effect, the revised 2024 Social Insurance (SI) Law is showing significant progress in expanding social security coverage and enhancing public satisfaction with the SI policy.
According to Vietnam Social Insurance (VSI), as of September, nearly 19.9 million people nationwide have enrolled in SI, an increase of approximately 800,000 compared to the same period in 2024. This includes nearly 17.7 million in compulsory SI and over 2.13 million in voluntary SI. Additionally, the number of participants in unemployment insurance has surpassed 16 million, with an increase of nearly 700,000.
On the benefits side, over 144,000 individuals are receiving monthly pensions; more than 5.3 million have claimed sick leave benefits; nearly 1 million have received maternity benefits; and approximately 600,000 have obtained unemployment allowances. Notably, the number of one-time SI withdrawals has decreased by about 23%, indicating a positive shift in workers’ mindset from short-term to long-term social security.
The new provisions of the SI Law have generated enthusiasm as they provide access to benefits not previously covered under the old legislation.
Nearly 1 million workers received maternity benefits in the first nine months.
Specifically, the law reduces the contribution period for pension eligibility from 20 to 15 years, benefiting older and informal workers. It introduces maternity benefits for voluntary SI participants, with many receiving a 2 million VND allowance—a surprising addition since voluntary SI previously only covered pensions. The law also adjusts the retirement age for social pension eligibility and introduces monthly allowances for those of age but with insufficient contribution years, ensuring elderly and low-income individuals are not left behind.
The new law expands compulsory SI coverage to include business owners, non-specialized commune-level officials, enterprise managers, and state capital representatives.
VSI plans to further simplify procedures and accelerate digital transformation to make policies more accessible to the public. Despite implementation challenges, with government guidance and local support, the revised SI Law is expected to significantly broaden social security coverage, aligning with sustainable development goals.
4 Scenarios Exempted from Mandatory Social Insurance and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Under the New Decree
As of November 30, 2025, Decree 274/2025/NĐ-CP outlines four specific scenarios where individuals are exempt from being considered as evading mandatory social insurance (SI) and unemployment insurance (UI) contributions.
Maximizing Social Security Retirement Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Entitlements
Approximately 1.5 million individuals aged 75 to 80 qualify for social pension benefits under the Social Insurance Law.
Retirement in 2025: Calculating Your Monthly Pension After 30 Years of Social Insurance Contributions
Article 66 and Article 72 of the 2024 Social Insurance Law provide detailed guidelines for calculating the monthly pension amount for individuals enrolled in compulsory social insurance (BHXH).
Why Do Localities Apply Different Levels of Social Retirement Benefits?
“A number of provinces and cities have taken the initiative to increase social retirement allowances beyond the standard government regulations. They are taking steps to ensure that their elderly citizens are provided for, with some areas offering more generous benefits than others.”
“Employee Benefits When Businesses Can No Longer Pay Social Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide.”
Effective from 2024, employees will continue to receive retirement and survivor benefits, even if their employer becomes unable to make social security contributions as per the Social Insurance Law.
